In this episode of Teach Sleep Repeat, we dive headfirst into the absolute state of spelling in schools right now – and why teaching it (and English in general) feels harder than ever. We chat about the importance of reading, the pressure to teach perfectly, and how it’s all become a bit of a mess.

Then, it’s time for some hilarious listener stories – including a few accidental classroom swears that had us howling (and hiding from SLT). Finally, we wrap things up with a chaotic Q&A where we tackle everything from whether we regret becoming teachers, how on earth to get enough sleep, and the all-important question: what kebab filling would we be?

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It’s SATs week – and we’ve got thoughts. In this episode, Dylan and Hayden share their top tips for teachers to survive the chaos, keep kids calm, and not lose their minds during one of the busiest weeks of the primary calendar. We also talk about cheating......

Then, we switch gears for a big question: Should we still have faith schools in the UK?
We unpack the arguments for and against – from community cohesion and parental choice to inclusion, funding, and what a “neutral” education really means in 2025.

Expect honest takes, classroom laughs, and a few spicy opinions.

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In this episode of Teach Sleep Repeat, Dylan and Hayden delve into the pressing issues facing the UK education system. They explore six critical areas where the system is faltering:​

1. Autonomy and Agency: Examining the diminishing independence of educators in their teaching methods.

2. Teacher Qualifications and Expertise: Discussing concerns over the adequacy of teacher training and professional development.

3. Agency Workers: Highlighting the challenges faced by supply teachers and the exploitation within the system.

4. Pedagogical Understanding: Addressing the lack of deep pedagogical knowledge influencing curriculum design.

5. Assessment and Diagnostics: Critiquing the over-reliance on standardized testing and its impact on student learning.

6. Purpose of Education: Questioning whether the system serves students' needs or merely political optics.​

Following this in-depth discussion, the conversation shifts to the potential for upcoming teacher strikes. The National Education Union (NEU) recently rejected the government's proposed 2.8% pay rise, citing it as "unacceptable" and "unfunded" . An indicative ballot showed that 93.7% of members voted to reject the offer, with 83.4% willing to take strike action . However, the turnout was 47.2%, just below the 50% threshold required for legal industrial action. The NEU is calling for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise to address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in schools.​

In this episode:

• A critical analysis of systemic issues in UK education.

• Insights into the NEU's stance on the proposed pay rise.

• Discussion on the implications of potential teacher strikes.

Whether you're a primary or secondary teacher, teaching assistant, or part of the senior leadership team, this episode offers valuable perspectives.

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The summer term is here — but are you surviving or thriving? In this episode of Teach Sleep Repeat, Dylan and Hayden share 10 practical tips to help teachers and school staff smash the summer term with less stress and more success. From managing end-of-year chaos to keeping pupils engaged when the sun’s out, we’ve got strategies every teacher needs to hear.

But first... we dive into a hot topic:
Should teachers be making TikToks during lesson time? 🎥
We debate the pros, cons, and classroom realities of social media in schools — is it harmless fun, a creative outlet, or crossing a professional line?

In this episode:
🔥 The big debate: TikToks in the classroom – yes or no?
✅ 10 ways to survive and thrive in the summer term
🎯 Tips for handling behaviour, energy dips, and last-minute demands
🌞 How to keep lessons fun without losing control
🧘‍♂️ End-of-year wellbeing hacks for teachers

If you're looking for teacher motivation, classroom management tips, or just some honest talk about school life, this one's for you.💬 Enjoyed the episode?
Follow, rate & review to help more teachers discover the podcast!

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Welcome back valued education customer teacher school staff friends!

We asked online for your best behaviour hacks and you didn't disappoint, so we go through our favourites that you can implement right away.

Before that, we got a little bit carried away with a chat about reading and teaching test style techniques for the SATs... We actually had a bit of a disagreement for once!

💬 Let’s stay connected!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes bits, teaching memes & more:
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Catch bonus clips, laughs and classroom chaos on TikTok:
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We’ll be adding extra ways to support the pod and unlock bonus content in the future, so jump in early to be part of the journey.
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Flash back to episode 5 of this teacher podcast and the first episode that really struck a chord with many was our toxic schools podcast.

We asked listeners for their most TOXIC school stories ever and we received nearly 1000.

We trawled through them all and picked out the most shocking and have put them together for you.

Let us know what you think & if you have your own story, get in touch!

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Ever since our first chat with Charlie Burley (The Teachers' Health Coach), we've been itching to get back for another conversation about food.

Teachers know how tricky improving our relationship with food is when working in such a high-stress environment.

From battling self-worth to the latest diet fads, we chat about realistic goals and things we can action immediately to improve our lifestyles.

You can buy Charlie's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Guide-Teachers-Healthy-Teacher/dp/1036201082/

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